Ginsburg to officiate at same-sex marriage ceremony

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will conduct a same-sex marriage ceremony Saturday when Ginsburg’s close friend, Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser, marries economist John Roberts. She’ll be the first U.S. Supreme Court justice to officiate a same-sex ceremony.

The Washington Post notes that the gala wedding at the Kennedy Center “brings together the nation’s highest court and the capital’s high society, and will mark a new milepost in recognition of same-sex unions.”

Unusual just a decade ago, same-sex marriages are now legal in Washington, D.C.; in 13 states; and all or part of 17 countries, the Post notes.

The Post described Ginsburg as excited to perform the ceremony, and noted she has another one planned in September.

“I think it will be one more statement that people who love each other and want to live together should be able to enjoy the blessings and the strife in the marriage relationship,” Ginsburg is quoted saying.

There’s a long tradition of Supreme Court justices officiating at weddings, but mostly of former law clerks, close friends or relatives. The Post notes that Ginsburg officiated at her son’s wedding and that Justice Clarence Thomas performed a ceremony for Rush Limbaugh.